An open experiment in creative fiction by Stuart Nager

Category Archives: Blog Challenge

THE TALISMAN OF MARA

Stolen, traded, gifted, lost, the Talisman of Mara journeyed across the globe, across time. Many hands wielded it; many died doing so.

Naomi found it at the shul’s fundraiser. The piece of colored glazed stone drew her eyes. It wasn’t anything she’d ever buy when Seth was alive. She bought it.

Hanging it, she’d see it when she descended the stairs, turned off the lights, went out.

It was the one piece of color she claimed in a beige house.

Tumbling down the stairs, Naomi broke the glass door.

It was only the first of many nightmarish events to come.

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Author’s Note: I made mention in the comments previously that when I do use names in these short pieces, they have meanings associated with the story. Some drive what I’m writing. So, if you’re curious, look them up. If not, hope you still liked this.

It’s #Friday Fictioneers prompt time, as always created and hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields on her blog, Addicted To Purple.

THE TREPIDATION JAR

Iris awoke, her bedding sodden from night sweats. She ripped one blistering nightmarish memory and jotted it down on colored paper. Her breathing slowed, the trembling that ran through her body subsided as the words tumbled out.

This was morning practice for Iris. At 32, every morning.

The jar sat on the night stand, filled with transcriptions of nightly terrors. Iris stared, folding the new horrid message.

Unscrewing the lid, Iris inserted the note.

Tried to.

Note after note popped out, opening as they flew, words bleeding out around her.

In the Cavern of Transmogrification

The screaming battered my ears into a never-ending, throbbing pain. I tried…I tried, but I couldn’t shut them out. Nor I. Weeping red droplets, streaming down onto what was left of our tattered clothing, onto the cavern floor, mixing with the dirt and rocks, creating small pools that, out of the dismal light, appeared black. Driven to our knees, I knew that we were at fault, disturbing this forsaken place; a place that should never have been walked, been wakened. Never.

From nowhere, iridescent globes consumed the darkness. Many-hued we became as well.

En France, la désolation

The Goat of Baphomet slaughtered Amaury, one of the last of the Knights Templar. Foraging in the forest left him open to attack, torture, and the rending. Under torture, he gave up the others. What was left of his white mantle was stained red, as red as the Cross on what remained of his torso.

The Goat had no mercy.

Respite in the church L’église Saint-Pierre-de-Gallèque was coming to an end. The priest, feckless, was tossing them out. Fabienne pled for time, as Amaury had not returned. The priest shook his head, pulled a flask out of his robes, gave it to Guillaume, and whispered something to him.

Guillaume nodded, gathered Jean and Fabienne, all donning their swords.

The Goat was just outside, waiting. Seeing this, all three Knights Templar drew their swords. Guillaume pulled the top off the flask with his teeth. As one, they charged.

Flanking the Goat, swords flashing, was proving lacking. While the demon gnashed at Jean, its hindquarters were exposed; Guillaume poured the flask’s contents onto the Goat.

Shrieking, it began to sizzle and became engulfed in flames, soon falling into sulfurous cinders.

1)Word Count: 200. Yes, I know, we’re supposed to write a 100 word story based on the prompt. I tried to edit this, cutting it in half, and I couldn’t do it and be satisfied. Why 200 words, then? Well, I missed a week or two since I’ve been participating. Guess I’m trying to make up for the word count. If you buy this explanation, I also have waterfront property in Brooklyn for sale. What a view! (PS: I will do my best to stick to the rules, as I have done).

2) The Knights Templar fell apart thanks to King Phillip IV. Rumors surounded them, the King owed them money (failed war with England), and most were rounded up and executed. One of the rumors was that they spit on the cross during new Knights initiations. Later, and most damning, was that they worshipped Baphomet. So, this story, based off a goat amongst the dead.

It’s #Friday Fictioneers prompt time, as always created and hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields on her blog, Addicted To Purple.

Copyright –Douglas M. MacIlroy

THIS CAGED EARTH

It all fell apart by 2057. Governments were in shambles; the controlling powers could have cared less. They owned and, in owning, they only wanted more.

It all went away, bit by decaying bit.

The oceans were near dead, farming wasn’t sustainable on a mass scale, air was often poisonous, and fresh water became high commodity. Infrastructure eroded, economy collapsed, and humanity just…wasn’t.

Someone pressed a button. There’s a lot more to take down the world; it’s just easier to say “Someone pressed a button” then to go into detail. What’s done is done.

The Tanka poem is very similar to haiku but Tanka poems have more syllables and it uses simile, metaphor and personification. There are five lines in a Tanka poem. Tanka poems are written about nature, seasons, love, sadness and other strong emotions.

The sylabble scheme is: 5-7-5-7-7

Author’s Note:

It’s #Friday Fictioneers prompt time, as always created and hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields on her blog, Addicted To Purple.